travel

16 Summer Weekend Getaways from NYC That You Should Book ASAP

By: Sheena Foster

Published: April 23, 2021

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You’re a die-hard New Yorker who didn’t flee the city during the pandemic. You may have lost your job, or you worked from home, pounding out projects while bickering with bae over your shared workspace. Or perhaps you’re a frontline worker, and you literally risked your life to bring home that paycheck. Maybe you unfurled a yoga mat or hopped on that Peloton to kill the calories from all those trips to “check the fridge.” If you’re a mom, you probably want to rip your hair out from juggling it all and the kids’ remote learning, too.

Hey, you.

Yes, you!

You deserve a getaway, mmmkay?

And not just any getaway—one that will melt away the angst, anxiety and mind-numbing stress of trying to keep it all the way together and survive the apocalypse at the same damn time. You need a change of scenery (and more square footage) without the scary plane ride. All good. No need to do the research, either. We’ve got you. If you’ve got 48 hours, (and your mask, obvi) we’ve got 16 drivable summer weekend getaways from NYC.

Editor’s note: Please remember to follow all social distancing protocols and local health and safety guidelines while traveling.

YO1 Health Resort, Catskills

1. Yo1 (1 Hour 50 Minutes From Nyc)

Take thee to the Catskills for more greenery and lots of yoga at the zen-inducing retreat that is YO1. You can splash in their indoor pool and dine on gourmet vegetarian fare from their kitchen, cafe and juice bar. Then, de-stress with YO1’s newly launched Restorative package, including a massage, mud therapy, hydrotherapy and two yoga sessions. And you won’t have to charm your way to a lovely room upgrade: every one of YO1’s rooms has a view of Baileys Lake.

Mayflower Inn and Spa

2. Mayflower Inn & Spa (2 Hours From Nyc)

Relax in the lap of New England-style luxury at the five-star, sumptuously appointed 28-room Mayflower Inn in Litchfield, Connecticut. In December, the Inn debuted THE WELL, a supercharged spa experience that offers traditional spa treatments with access to medical, holistic and nutrition health coaches. For fancy foodies, there’s even a private dining experience curated by their resident chef. Bridgerton fans will probably get a kick out of Mayflower’s storybook-like Shakespeare Garden. (Sorry, ladies...the dreamy Duke of Hastings is not included.)

Mohonk Mountain House

3. Mohonk Mountain House (1 Hour 45 Minutes From Nyc)

Outdoorsy types will dig Mohonk’s 40,000 acres of forest to frolic in, in Ulster County. There’s rock climbing, archery, horseback riding and a nine-hole golf course to enjoy. After a busy day in Mother Nature, kick back and nosh on farm-to-table fare. And from June 14 to 20, you can rock out to Mohonk’s Music on the Mountain, a six-day music festival. If you don’t have wheels to get you there, no worries: Mohonk is located near a bus stop (accessible via Port Authority), and the hotel will send a shuttle to scoop you and your crew up.

4. Scribner’s Catskill Lodge (2 Hours 20 Minutes From Nyc)

If you know, you know: Scribner’s is the spot in the wintertime (not to mention all the Instagrammable locales, like their ice rink), but there’s also plenty of summer fun to be had. There’s outdoor yoga, a seasonal outdoor pool and epic mountainside sunsets to enjoy. If you can stand the heat, sweat it out in the outdoor sauna pod with epic views. Pro tip: Golden hour is best enjoyed from their epic West Deck.

5. Shelter Island House (2 Hours 30 Minutes From Nyc)

If it’s the beach you crave, trek east to Shelter Island’s Shelter Island House. The cozy Inn, located less than a mile from Crescent Beach, aims to spoil with five luxe, ultra-private rooms, two lounges, and yummy cocktails from The Osprey Bar and Lounge. Take a ride around town on their complimentary bikes. Perhaps the most charming feature is the teeny snack bar that beckons with a menu of yummies you can take away for a beach day.

6. The Surf Lodge (2 Hours 20 Minutes From Nyc)

Visit this Montauk gem and be spoiled with sweet amenities because Surf doesn’t do standard toiletries. Instead, you’ll beautify with Caudalie and Shiseido products. Plus, you’ll cozy up on a super plush Casper bed while snacking on complimentary mini-bar treats (available on weekends). But the most chill thing ever is the hammock you can hang in on the private deck of your master suite. If you don’t have a car to transport you to this slice of weekend heaven, no worries: the Montauk LIRR station is literally a half-mile away.

7. The Roundtree (2 Hours 5 Minutes From Nyc)

If you haven’t been on vacation in over a year, why not be a big, big baller and book your own cottage? This new Amagansett property takes luxe to a new level with Frette linens, rainforest showerheads, continental room service breakfast and in-room massages. Just when you think you can’t top that, there’s even an on-site pastry chef who can teach you how to whip up fancy sweet treats of your own. If you can bear to pry yourself away from all that amazingness, hop on a beach cruiser for a ride into town or for a day of sun and sand.

8. The Villa At Saugerties (2 Hours From Nyc)

If ultra-exclusive is your vibe, you’ll fall hard for The Villa at Saugerties. The four-bedroom bed and breakfast is as rustic as it is luxurious. You’ll awaken on Matteo cotton linens and indulge in farm-to-table offerings like piping hot frittatas and muffins for breakfast and carefully curated multi-course dinners in their barn. There’s a 40-foot pool to do a few laps in and 3.6 picturesque acres to explore. You’ll be hashtagging all about that #villalife before you know it.

9. Lake George Boathouse Bed And Breakfast (3 Hours, 40 Minutes From Nyc)

Head north to the town of Lake George for this super cute waterfront BnB. It’ll be easy to score a charming room with a view of the lake and even easier to canoe or fish in it. Or, hop aboard “Miss Boathouse” for a private tour. And there’s lots more to get into because the boathouse is within steps of a quaint downtown area filled with beaches, shops and restaurants.

HERO

10. Hero Beach Club (2 Hours, 15 Minutes From Nyc)

Do Montauk without breaking the bank. Famed for its super easy beach access, the chic Hero Beach Club puts you close enough to all the Montauk action, but not too close—vacationers rave about how quiet and relaxing Hero is. Make your pals jealous by taking selfies at their pool, which has decor flown in from Bali. There’s even a sweetheart deal of a package: couples get a complimentary bottle of champagne, room upgrade and 1 p.m. checkout.

Room at the Beach

11. 1a Room At The Beach (1 Hour 45 Minutes From Nyc)

Exit Montauk Highway and enter this tranquil Bridgehampton oasis. The 10-room boutique hotel, which is also within walking distance of the train and Jitney station, charms guests with soaking tubs and heated floors. A sprawling lawn, scene-y pool and bonfire pits await outside your room. And beyond that, Bridgehampton is your oyster. You’ll be steps away from local favorites like Wolffer Estate Vineyard and hotspot Almond.

Ocean House

12. Ocean House (3 Hours From Nyc)

Maybe you want to ditch the Empire State altogether temporarily. We get it. Consider Ocean House in Rhode Island. The Relais & Châteaux property features a saltwater pool, yoga studio and a complimentary fleet of Mercedes Benz convertibles for you to cruise around in. You’ll also be waited on hand and foot. Ocean House treats vacationers to a butler service that aims to meet your every need from your room to the beach.

Delamar

13. Delamar Greenwich Harbor (45 Minutes From Nyc)

Looking for a faster way to ditch NYC? Head to this waterfront Greenwich spot—only a 45-minute train ride from Grand Central and blocks from the New Haven train station—for a mini vacay. Most rooms overlook all the Greenwich Harbor’s action down below, like L’Escale, where you can nosh on French fare and mingle with monied guests who arrive in sailboats or yachts. NY residents get an added perk. Delamar offers a 15 percent discount on its daily rate, which includes continental breakfast and free parking.

The Lodge at Woodloch

14. Lodge At Woodloch (2 Hours 13 Minutes From Nyc)

This secluded Poconos chalet is another option, especially if you’re a foodie. Included in your all-inclusive package are gourmet, locally-sourced meals from a talented team of chefs. You can also participate in cooking demos to up your kitchen game. You can burn off the extra vacation calories by hiking one of many trails around the lodge. Then, treat your sore muscles to a spa with an “Aquagarden,” which features a swoon-worthy waterfall and an outdoor “horizon-edge” whirlpool that are perfect for melting stress away.

Twin Farms

15. Twin Farms (4 Hours From Nyc)

The storied Vermont resort and spa is as five-star as they come. The adults-only property, which sits on 300 lush acres, offers 30 luxuriously appointed cottages and suites and plenty of unique amenities. The resort, renowned for its customizable culinary experiences, can also whip up a picnic for you and your guests. And boredom isn’t on the menu. Experience a tour of their honeybee hives or buzz about with a game of croquet, tennis or canoeing.

16. Bedford Post Inn (1 Hour 15 Minutes From Nyc)

Fancy a clawfoot tub in your suite? How about exposed beams and a four-post canopy bed? If so, Bedford Post will be your jam. The luxe inn also spoils with a yoga studio and lots of wellness activities. If you’re not the exercise-on-vacation type, you may quickly change your mind after you dine at the Inn’s three critically acclaimed farm-to-table restaurants.

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